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Datasheet

Orgyia leucostigma (white-marked tussock moth)

Summary

  • Last modified
  • 17 May 2012
  • Datasheet Type(s)
  • Pest
  • Preferred Scientific Name
  • Orgyia leucostigma
  • Preferred Common Name
  • white-marked tussock moth
  • Taxonomic Tree
  • Domain: Eukaryota
  •     Kingdom: Metazoa
  •         Phylum: Arthropoda
  •             Subphylum: Uniramia
  •                 Class: Insecta
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Identity

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Preferred Scientific Name

  • Orgyia leucostigma (J.E. Smith, 1797)

Preferred Common Name

  • white-marked tussock moth

Other Scientific Names

  • Acyphas plagiata Walker, 1855
  • Cladophora leucographa Geyer, 1832
  • Hemerocampa leucostigma (J.E. Smith, 1797)
  • Orgyia leucographa var. obliviosa Henry Edwards, 1886
  • Orgyia leucostigma var. borealis Fitch, 1856
  • Orgyia leucostigma var. intermedia Fitch, 1856
  • Orgyia libera Strecker, 1900
  • Orgyia meridionalis Riotte, 1974
  • Orgyia oslari Barnes, 1900
  • Orgyia wardi Riotte, 1971
  • Phalaena leucostigma J.E. Smith, 1797

International Common Names

  • English: tussock moth, white-marked; whitemarked tussock moth
  • French: chenille à houppes blanches

EPPO code

  • HEMELE (Hemerocampa leucostigma)

Taxonomic Tree

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  • Domain: Eukaryota
  •     Kingdom: Metazoa
  •         Phylum: Arthropoda
  •             Subphylum: Uniramia
  •                 Class: Insecta
  •                     Order: Lepidoptera
  •                         Family: Erebidae
  •                             Genus: Orgyia
  •                                 Species: Orgyia leucostigma

Distribution Table

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The distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.

CountryDistributionLast ReportedOriginFirst ReportedInvasiveReferencesNotes

NORTH AMERICA

CanadaRestricted distributionNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-AlbertaRestricted distributionNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-ManitobaRestricted distributionNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-New BrunswickRestricted distributionNativeNot invasiveEidt & MacGillivray, 1972
-Newfoundland and LabradorRestricted distributionNativeNot invasiveWest et al., 1987
-Nova ScotiaRestricted distributionNativeNot invasiveElgee, 1975
-OntarioRestricted distributionNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-QuebecRestricted distributionNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
USAWidespreadNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-AlabamaWidespreadNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-ArkansasWidespreadNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-ColoradoRestricted distributionNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-FloridaWidespreadNativeNot invasiveDixon & Foltz, 1991
-GeorgiaWidespreadNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-IowaWidespreadNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-KansasRestricted distributionNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-LouisianaWidespreadNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-MaineWidespreadNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-MarylandWidespreadNativeNot invasiveMedina & Barbosa, 2002
-MichiganWidespreadNativeNot invasiveWilson, 1991
-MississippiWidespreadNativeNot invasiveThompson & Solomon, 1986
-MissouriWidespreadNativeNot invasiveRichard & Heitzman, 1987
-New JerseyWidespreadNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-New MexicoRestricted distributionNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-New YorkWidespreadNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-South CarolinaWidespreadNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-TexasWidespreadNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-VirginiaWidespreadNativeNot invasiveFerguson, 1978
-West VirginiaPresentHajek et al., 2004

Host plants/Plants Affected

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Plant nameFamilyContext
Abies balsamea (balsam fir)PinaceaeMain
Acer negundo (box elder)AceraceaeOther
Acer platanoides (Norway maple)AceraceaeOther
Acer rubrum (red maple)AceraceaeOther
Acer saccharinum (silver maple)AceraceaeOther
Acer saccharum (sugar maple)AceraceaeOther
Aesculus flava (yellow buckeye)HippocastanaceaeOther
Aesculus glabra (Texas buckeye)HippocastanaceaeOther
Aesculus hippocastanum (horse chestnut)HippocastanaceaeOther
Ailanthus altissima (tree-of-heaven)SimaroubaceaeOther
Albizia julibrissin (silk tree)FabaceaeMain
Alnus serrulataBetulaceaeOther
Amelanchier canadensis (thicket serviceberry)RosaceaeOther
Asimina triloba (Pawpaw-apple)AnnonaceaeOther
Berberis canadensis (American barberry)BerberidaceaeOther
Berberis vulgaris (European barberry)BerberidaceaeOther
Betula lenta (sweet birch)BetulaceaeOther
Betula nigra (river birch)BetulaceaeOther
Betula papyrifera (paper birch)BetulaceaeOther
Betula pubescens (Downy birch)BetulaceaeOther
Buxus sempervirens (common boxwood)BuxaceaeOther
Campsis radicans (trumpetcreeper)BignoniaceaeOther
Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam)BetulaceaeOther
Carya illinoinensis (pecan)JuglandaceaeOther
Castanea dentata (American chestnut)FagaceaeOther
Castanea pumila (Allegheny chinquapin)FagaceaeOther
Catalpa bignonioides (Southern catalpa)BignoniaceaeOther
Catalpa speciosa (hardy catalpa)BignoniaceaeOther
Celtis occidentalis (hackberry)UlmaceaeOther
Cephalanthus occidentalis (common buttonbush)RubiaceaeOther
Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud)FabaceaeMain
Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic white cedar)CupressaceaeOther
Chenopodium album (fat hen)ChenopodiaceaeOther
Chionanthus virginicus (white fringe tree)OleaceaeOther
Cornus alternifolia (pagoda dogwood)CornaceaeOther
Cornus florida (Flowering dogwood)CornaceaeOther
Corylus americana (American hazel)BetulaceaeOther
Cotinus coggygria (fustet)AnacardiaceaeOther
Crataegus crus-galli (Cockspur hawthorn)RosaceaeOther
Cydonia oblonga (quince)RosaceaeOther
Diospyros kaki (persimmon)EbenaceaeOther
Diospyros virginiana (persimmon (common))EbenaceaeOther
Euonymus atropurpureus (purple spindle)CelastraceaeOther
Fagus grandifolia (American beech)FagaceaeOther
Ficus carica (fig)MoraceaeOther
Fraxinus americana (white ash)OleaceaeOther
Fraxinus excelsior (ash)OleaceaeOther
Geranium maculatum (spotted geranium (USA))Other
Gleditsia triacanthos (honey locust)FabaceaeOther
Gordonia lasianthusTheaceaeOther
Gossypium herbaceum (short staple cotton)MalvaceaeOther
Gymnocladus dioicus (Kentucky coffeetree)FabaceaeOther
Hamamelis virginiana (Virginian witch-hazel)HamamelidaceaeOther
Hibiscus syriacus (shrubby althaea)MalvaceaeOther
Hibiscus trionum (Venice mallow)MalvaceaeOther
Humulus lupulus (hop)CannabaceaeOther
Ilex opaca (American holly)AquifoliaceaeOther
Ipomoea purpurea (tall morning glory)ConvolvulaceaeOther
Iris (irises)IridaceaeOther
Jasminum (jasmine)OleaceaeOther
Juglans cinerea (butternut)JuglandaceaeOther
Juglans nigra (black walnut)JuglandaceaeOther
Juglans regia (walnut)JuglandaceaeOther
Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar)CupressaceaeOther
Larix decidua (common larch)PinaceaeOther
Larix laricina (American larch)PinaceaeMain
Ligustrum vulgare (common privet)OleaceaeOther
Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet gum)HamamelidaceaeOther
Liriodendron tulipifera (tuliptree)MagnoliaceaeOther
Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle)CaprifoliaceaeOther
Maclura pomifera (osage orange)MoraceaeOther
Magnolia virginiana (sweet bay)MagnoliaceaeOther
Malus domestica (apple)RosaceaeMain
Malva (mallow)MalvaceaeOther
Morus rubra (red mulberrytree)MoraceaeOther
Myrica pensylvanica (northern bayberry (USA))MyricaceaeOther
Nyssa sylvatica (tupelo)CornaceaeOther
Ostrya virginiana (American hophornbeam)BetulaceaeOther
Oxydendrum arboreum (Sourwood)EricaceaeOther
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper)VitaceaeOther
Paulownia tomentosa (paulownia)ScrophulariaceaeOther
Picea glauca (white spruce)PinaceaeOther
Pinus strobus (eastern white pine)PinaceaeMain
Plantago (Plantain)PlantaginaceaeOther
Platanus occidentalis (sycamore)PlatanaceaeOther
Poa pratensis (smooth meadow-grass)PoaceaeOther
Populus alba (silver-leaf poplar)SalicaceaeOther
Populus balsamifera (balm of Gilead)SalicaceaeOther
Populus deltoides (poplar)SalicaceaeOther
Populus fremontii (Fremont cottonwood)SalicaceaeOther
Populus nigra (black poplar)SalicaceaeOther
Populus tremuloides (trembling aspen)SalicaceaeOther
Prunus americana (American plum)RosaceaeOther
Prunus armeniaca (apricot)RosaceaeOther
Prunus avium (sweet cherry)RosaceaeOther
Prunus cerasus (sour cherry)RosaceaeOther
Prunus domestica (plum)RosaceaeOther
Prunus ilicifolia (holly-leaved cherry)Other
Prunus persica (peach)RosaceaeOther
Prunus salicina (Japanese plum)RosaceaeOther
Prunus virginiana (common chokecherrytree)RosaceaeOther
Pyracantha coccinea (Scarlet firethorn)RosaceaeMain
Pyrus communis (European pear)RosaceaeOther
Quercus alba (white oak)FagaceaeMain
Quercus coccinea (scarlet oak)FagaceaeOther
Quercus laurifolia (Laurel oak)FagaceaeMain
Quercus montana (basket oak)FagaceaeOther
Quercus nigra (water oak)FagaceaeMain
Quercus phellos (Willow oak)FagaceaeOther
Quercus rubra (northern red oak)FagaceaeMain
Quercus virginiana (Live oak)FagaceaeMain
Rhamnus alnifoliaOther
Rhododendron (Azalea)EricaceaeOther
Ribes (currants)GrossulariaceaeOther
Ricinus communis (castor bean)EuphorbiaceaeOther
Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust)FabaceaeOther
Rosa (roses)RosaceaeOther
Rubus (blackberry, raspberry)RosaceaeOther
Salix fragilis (crack willow)SalicaceaeOther
Salix lutea (Heart-leaved willow)SalicaceaeOther
Sambucus canadensis (American elder)CaprifoliaceaeOther
Sassafras albidum (common sassafras)LauraceaeOther
Spiraea virginiana (Virginia spiraea)Other
Staphylea trifolia (american bladder nut)StaphyleaceaeOther
Symphoricarpos albus (common snowberry)CaprifoliaceaeOther
Syringa vulgaris (lilac)OleaceaeOther
Tamarix gallica (French tamarisk)TamaricaceaeOther
Taraxacum officinale complex (dandelion)AsteraceaeOther
Taxus canadensis (canadian yew (USA))TaxaceaeOther
Tilia americana (basswood)TiliaceaeOther
Tilia cordata (small-leaf lime)TiliaceaeOther
Tilia platyphyllos (large-leaved lime)TiliaceaeOther
Trifolium (clovers)FabaceaeOther
Ulmus americana (American elm)UlmaceaeMain
Ulmus rubra (slippery elm)UlmaceaeOther
Vaccinium (blueberries)EricaceaeOther
ViburnumCaprifoliaceaeOther
Wisteria frutescens (american wisteria)FabaceaeOther
Wisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria)FabaceaeOther
Zanthoxylum clava-herculis (herculesclub (USA))RutaceaeOther
Zea mays (maize)PoaceaeOther

List of Symptoms

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SignLife StagesType

Growing point

external feeding
external feeding

Leaves

external feeding
external feeding

Whole plant

external feeding
external feeding

Natural Enemies

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Natural enemyTypeLife stagesSpecificityReferencesBiological control inBiological control on
Bacillus thuringiensis kurstakiPathogenLarvae
Bacillus thuringiensis thuringiensisPathogenLarvae
Cotesia melanoscelaParasiteLarvae
Entomophaga aulicaePathogenLarvae
Glyptapanteles porthetriaeParasiteLarvae
Haematonectria haematococcaPathogen
Hyposoter exiguaeParasiteLarvae
Hyposoter fugitivusParasiteLarvae
Hyposoter rivalisParasiteLarvae
Nucleopolyhedrosis virusPathogenLarvae
Ooencyrtus kuvanaeParasiteEggs
Rogas lymantriaeParasiteLarvae

Plant Trade

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Plant parts liable to carry the pest in trade/transportPest stagesBorne internallyBorne externallyVisibility of pest or symptoms
BarkeggsNoYesPest or symptoms usually visible to the naked eye
Stems (above ground), Shoots, Trunks, BrancheseggsNoYesPest or symptoms usually visible to the naked eye
Plant parts not known to carry the pest in trade/transport
Bulbs, Tubers, Corms, Rhizomes
Flowers, Inflorescences, Cones, Calyx
Fruits (inc. pods)
Growing medium accompanying plants
Leaves
Roots
Seedlings, Micropropagated plants
True seeds (inc. grain)
Wood

Wood Packaging

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Wood Packaging liable to carry the pest in trade/transportTimber typeUsed as packing
Loose wood packing materialCratesYes
Solid wood packing material with barkCratesYes
Solid wood packing material without barkCratesYes
Wood Packaging not known to carry the pest in trade/transport
Non-wood
Processed or treated wood

References

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Bryk F, 1934. Das Tierreich. 64(19):61-62.

Dixon WN, Foltz JL, 1991. Caterpillars that are not the gypsy moth caterpillar. Some forest Lepidoptera in Florida (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae, Lasiocampidae, Lymantriidae). Entomology Circular (Gainesville), No. 344:1 p.

Eidt DC, MacGillivray HG, 1972. Resistance of seven fir species to spruce budworm and other insects. Bi-monthly Research Notes, 28(1):2-3

Elgee E, 1975. Persistence of a virus of the white-marked tussock moth on Balsam Fir foliage. Bi-monthly Research Notes, 31(5):33-34

Ferguson DC, 1978. Noctuoidea, Lymantriidae. In: Dominick RB et al., eds. The moths of America north of Mexico (including Greenland), Vol. 22.2. London, UK: E.W. Classey.

Foott WH, Timmins PR, 1977. Observations on new insect pests of grain corn in Essex County, Ontario. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Ontario, 108:49-52

Grant GG, 1978. Field trials on disruption of pheromone communication of tussock moths. Journal of Economic Entomology, 71(3):453-457

Grant GG, McCarty L, 1977. Effect of age on calling behavior and mating success of whitemarked tussock moths. Bi-monthly Research Notes, 33(1):2-3

Guzo D, Stoltz DB, 1985. Obligatory multiparasitism in the tussock moth, Orgyia leucostigma. Parasitology, 90(1):1-10

Hajek AE, Strazanac JS, Wheeler MM, Vermeylen FM, Butler L, 2004. Persistence of the fungal pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga and its impact on native Lymantriidae. Biological Control, 30(2):466-473.

Medina RF, Barbosa P, 2002. Predation of small and large Orgyia leucostigma (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) larvae by vertebrate and invertebrate predators. Environmental Entomology, 31(6):1097-1102; 47 ref.

Richard J, Heitzman JE, 1987. Butterflies and Moths of Missouri. Missouri, USA: Missouri Department of Conservation.

Thompson LC, Solomon JD, 1986. The insect defoliator fauna of young sycamore plantations in the Mississippi Delta and its seasonal population development in 1981. Bulletin, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Arkansas University, No. 897:24pp.

Thurston GS, 2002. Orgyia leucostigma (J. E. Smith), Whitemarked tussock Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). In: Mason PG, Huber JT, eds. Biological control programmes in Canada, 1981-2000. Wallingford, UK: CAB International, 201-203.

Tietz HM, 1972. An Index to the described Life Histories, Early Stages and Hosts of the Macrolepidoptera of the Continental United States and Canada. Sarasota, Florida, USA: A.C. Allyn.

West RJ, Cunningham JC, Kaupp WJ, 1987. Ground spray applications of Virtuss, a nuclear polyhedrosis virus, against white-marked tussock moth larvae at Bottom Brook, Newfoundland in 1986. Information Report - Newfoundland Forestry Centre, Canadian Forestry Service, No. N-X-257:10 pp.

Wilson LF, 1991. Location and condition of whitemarked tussock moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) cocoons in a Michigan black walnut plantation. Great Lakes Entomologist, 24(3):153-157

Distribution Maps

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Distribution map Canada: Restricted distribution, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978Canada
See regional map for distribution within the countryCanada
See regional map for distribution within the countryCanada
See regional map for distribution within the countryCanada
See regional map for distribution within the countryCanada
See regional map for distribution within the countryCanada
See regional map for distribution within the countryCanada
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA: Widespread, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978USA: Widespread, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978USA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the countryUSA
See regional map for distribution within the country
  • = Present, no further details
  • = Evidence of pathogen
  • = Widespread
  • = Last reported
  • = Localised
  • = Presence unconfirmed
  • = Confined and subject to quarantine
  • = See regional map for distribution within the country
  • = Occasional or few reports
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Distribution map (asia)
Distribution map (europe)
Distribution map (africa)
Distribution map (north america) Canada: Restricted distribution, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978Alberta: Restricted distribution, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978Manitoba: Restricted distribution, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978New Brunswick: Restricted distribution, native, not invasive
Eidt & MacGillivray, 1972Newfoundland and Labrador: Restricted distribution, native, not invasive
West et al., 1987Nova Scotia: Restricted distribution, native, not invasive
Elgee, 1975Ontario: Restricted distribution, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978Quebec: Restricted distribution, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978USA: Widespread, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978Alabama: Widespread, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978Arkansas: Widespread, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978Colorado: Restricted distribution, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978Florida: Widespread, native, not invasive
Dixon & Foltz, 1991Georgia: Widespread, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978Iowa: Widespread, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978Kansas: Restricted distribution, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978Louisiana: Widespread, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978Maryland: Widespread, native, not invasive
Medina & Barbosa, 2002Maine: Widespread, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978Michigan: Widespread, native, not invasive
Wilson, 1991Missouri: Widespread, native, not invasive
Richard & Heitzman, 1987Mississippi: Widespread, native, not invasive
Thompson & Solomon, 1986New Jersey: Widespread, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978New Mexico: Restricted distribution, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978New York: Widespread, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978South Carolina: Widespread, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978Texas: Widespread, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978Virginia: Widespread, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978West Virginia: Present
Hajek et al., 2004
Distribution map (central america) USA: Widespread, native, not invasive
Ferguson, 1978Florida: Widespread, native, not invasive
Dixon & Foltz, 1991
Distribution map (south america)
Distribution map (pacific)